As temperatures climb, know signs of heat illnesses

By Stephanie Carson
•
Jun 29, 2017 at 9:47 PM

NASHVILLE – Temperatures are expected to climb this week across the state – and with them, the risk of heat-related illness also climbs.

Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are both serious medical conditions, but the ways they are treated are different. Sports medicine Dr. A.K. Misra, certified in internal medicine and sports medicine, said anyone who’s hot, but has stopped sweating, it’s a likely sign of heat stroke.

“They don’t sweat anymore,” he said. “In heat exhaustion, you’re sweating quite profusely. And also, even the quality of the skin can be different – you can have cold, clammy, pale skin in the context of heat exhaustion. In heat stroke, it can be red, and it can be hot.”

If you think you or someone around you has heat exhaustion, Misra said to move them to a cool area, loosen or even remove their clothing and offer them water – avoiding anything with alcohol, caffeine or high amounts of sugar. Anyone who suspects heat stroke, he said, should seek immediate medical attention.

Although offering water to someone with heat stroke may seem logical, Misra said it isn’t safe in his or her condition.

“In heat stroke, it’s really failing mental status that makes it stand apart; they may be totally in a delirium state of affairs,” he said. “Don’t try to give these people fluids, because they can’t protect their airways very well. You do want to give fluids in the heat exhaustion context.”

People with heat stroke have body temperatures that reach at least 104 degrees, and Misra said the longer it stays at that elevated level, the more health damage can be done.